The chairman of Minor International Plc. (SET: MINT), one of Thailand largest hospitality, restaurant and lifestyle companies, William E. Heinecke, on Monday sent another open letter to prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, expressing his strong support for the cancellation of Thailand Pass registration.
He stated that eliminating this entry system will help the country return to pre-pandemic normalcy and revitalize the tourism industry.
Following the removal of the Test and Go scheme from May 1, the Ministry of Public Health along with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports are planning to propose the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) that more entry restrictions should be lifted, including the elimination of the Thailand Pass registration by June 1.
Mr. Heinecke argues that the existing Thailand Pass system has outlived its usefulness and is hindering the tourism and economic recovery of Thailand. Its elimination will not only provide travelers with the flexibility and convenience they expect and demand, but it will also help in enticing foreign tourists back to Thailand.
“The elimination [of Thailand Pass] will not only offer the flexibility and convenience that tourists expect and demand, but they will also help entice foreign tourists back to our country. Eliminating Thailand Pass will return us to pre-pandemic travel rules and a time when millions of prospective tourists only need to book a flight before traveling to Thailand. Then, as is now, health concerns and their financial consequences were always borne by the traveler, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, travel-insured or not. Travelers are aware of the risks and have always known that they are responsible for their own health, globally,” said the chairman of MINT.
“The COVID-19 situation in our country shows solid sign of improvement. It is now three weeks after Songkran, and the numbers of new infections and seriously-ill patients have significantly subsided. Tourism is a very important contribution to our economy, and it is time we remove all barriers to its recovery. Scrapping “Thailand Pass” is the final necessary step,” he added.
